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It wasn't long until the two entered Rarity's shop. The litle bell above the door twinkled merrily as their hooves clopped lightly against the immaculate floor (and this is Canterlot Boutique, so of course nothing less is to be expected.) Rarity herself trotted up towards the cashier's counter, ever daintly setting her bags down and mentally giving a sigh of relief that everything came through her little adventure unscathed. The last bag full of delicate lavender silks was set gently with the others, light azure magic dissolving with a few twinkles.


"Ah, here we are! Safe and sound." Happy chirped cheerfully, moustache curled up in a smile. Rarity couldn't help her own. This stallion just lived up to his name so well, she simply couldn't help herself. The shop was otherwise empty, so Rarity pulled her crimson readers out and the initial sketch of Saffron's dress from the work room. Rarity settled her glasses on the bridge of her nose, peering over the rim at the design she's been tweaking and adjusting over these past couple of weeks to make it simply perfect. After all, not only was this a gift for her dear, sweet friend, but also a great opportunity to possibly introduce her line to the exotic country of New Delneigh. Just as she had tried so hard to do at a certain garden party just a few years ago…


The thought caused Rarity to chuckle, earning a "something tickle your funny bone?" from her customer. She looked up to see the teal-maned stallion standing by her tiny maternity section. The silver unicorn laughed lightly again.


"Oh, its just how the events of today transpired. When I ran into your brother all those years ago, I just happened to be making a dress for a rather close friend of mine — "


"Twilight Sparkle! Hah, Fleur told me how you were attempting to attend two parties at once, trying so very hard to please everypony. She and Fancy thought it was a hoot at the end of it all. And I can quite assure you, they are both quite impressed with your success. Fleur is so upset she can't wear her favorite dress to the Duke of Maretonia's shindig next week, and its one she bought from this very shop. She's terrified of putting runs in the flank," Happy gave a good-natured roll of his eyes. He turned back towards the rack, pushing aside a lovely blue piece and examining it. Rarity suddenly found herself wishing he had a lot more to rifle through. She was always good at spotting customers about to make that perfect purchase, and she knew that she couldn't quite accept his bits and wave goodbye.


And oh stars, that dress he was looking out would be perfect with Fleur's complexion. So he knew at least a little something about fashion? Oh stars…


"H-how is Fleur faring? She's only about two months along or so, I'd imagine?" Rarity asked, pretending to be engrossed in her sketch. She kept the conversation as casual as she could. To her delight, Happy gave a snort and dropped the wavy fabric, instead meandering to study a mannequin wearing a blue tuxedo.


"I'd hope this remains here, of course, but she's in full-on pregnancy mode. Fancy cannot keep the house stocked with chocolate or pickles," He scrunched his muzzle (oh stop its too cute). "She's nervous because she and Fancy are to learn the gender this Thursday, and she's trying to prepare everything far before the little one is to come. She's even thinking of doing away with a nanny!" Rarity couldn't help her curiosity — she'd always admired the elite of Canterlot, but was raised by two loud, boisterous, and incredibly loving parents.


"Were you and Fancy raised by a nanny?" She asked.


"Oh, yes, and so was Fleur. But she wants to be a good influence on the foal and feels she and Fancy can stand as good role models. Which I do not contest whatsoever. Fancy may be a cottonhead, but he's smart and has ten times the charm I do. More than once, he's helped me acquire crucial details for my latest publication. Well, after I promised to go to Mother's yacht party in his stead." He gave another dry laugh. "Ah, siblings. I believe Fancy mentioned you have a sister?"


"My little Sweetie Belle. My goodness, she does get on my nerves, but I so adore that little marshmallow. She and her best friends have made this little club in my hometown to help other foals find their cutie marks, its really quite sweet. Its surprising the different paths we take," Rarity said with fondness, and Happy gave a nod of total understanding.


"I'd imagine, giving the absolute craftsmanship and quality of such, you've been crafting these dresses for quite some time?" The male unicorn stated, peeking at Rarity over the rim of his glasses. His indigo eyes seemed to sparkle and Rarity had to fumble a comment to construct an appropriately articulate answer.


"O-oh, ah, yes. Yes! Since I can remember, really, playing around with paper mache and newspaper for a few years." She giggled at the memory of her kindergarten "Equestria is Beautiful" pageant. "My mother taught me how to sew, bought me my first sewing machine when I was seven, and that was all she wrote. There was just something about the versatility of fabric and gems, how lovely they are on their own, but the possibilities with them combined are simply endless."


Rarity gave a nostalgic sigh, forgetting a moment who her audience was. "When I got older, oh, about twelve or so, I really started to see dresses and fashion for what it really is. There were so many fillies in my school who didn't like their coat color, couldn't dye their mane purple when its brown, their flanks are too wide…and when they see themselves in a mirror, wearing that dress that compliments their coat color perfectly and that wavy trim matches their mane, the train makes their bodies flow just a bit more smoothly…I knew that my duty in life is to create, and create in a way that can make an impact on a pony's life. To help them realize how beautiful they are, inside and out, and if its my dresses than can accomplish such, so be it…"


The unicorn mare trailed off, then gave a wave of a hoof. "Oh, pardon me. I tend to get rambly on slow days!" As she looked back towards Happy, she found him standing by the corner, appearing rather transfixed. He blinked and gave a slight cough. Rarity found herself wondering if she'd just caught him staring at her, and finding herself not really minding in the slightest…


"Tell me, Happy, what's the story behind this adventurous journalist?" She began, and Happy Pants shook his head.


"Ah, that's quite a long story, and I don't want to fill up all your business hours. Besides," he waved his tattered notebook in the air. "Must get these notes in! I've been working on this story for awhile."


"Ah," Rarity, surprisingly, felt her heart sink. "I'm sure its an excellent saga. You'll have to pop by sometime and regale me the harrowing tale of your cutie mark adventure. I don't want to keep you from your report!" She put on her most winning, bright and charming customer service smile. However, for the first time since meeting Happy Pants, he did not return her smile. Instead, he delicately plucked the blue maternity dress he'd considered earlier off the rack and set it on the counter. Trying to cheer herself up, Rarity processed her first sale of the day, slowly placing the bits in their respective slots in the register, then used a similar pace to fold Fleur de Lis' new dress (hoping it would also help her acquaintance with those pesky pregnancy blues). She handed the bag to Happy.


"Well, in any instance, it was an absolute pleasure to run into you — quite literally. Please do send Fancy and Fleur my best, I will certainly have to write soon. You'll have to tell me if she likes the dress!" Rarity chirped, lifting her hoof in a wave. Happy began to turn away from the counter, then paused mid-step. He stared at the floor for a few moments before suddenly turning back around. His bushy brow was furrowed in determination as he approached her once again.


"I certainly hope you'll forgive my impertinence, but are you going to be terribly busy this evening? I know you must finish your friend's dress, but may you be able to spare a few hours to allow me to treat my new friend? I know this lovely, mellow place downtown." Happy proposed, and Rarity could actually register a small tremor in his voice — a tremor that seemed to match her heart's excited murmur. She couldn't hold back her chuckle, remembering Fancy asking her to join him at the Wonderbolts show. Thankfully, Saffron's birthday wasn't until July, so Rarity set her glasses down on the counter.


"Mr. Pants, I would be delighted to join you this evening. Shall we meet here at, say, six or so?" She declared, and Happy looked as if he was a foal entering Sugarcube Corner for the very first time. He bent a knee and dipped his head in a quick bow before flashing Rarity a huge grin.


"I await six o'clok on bated breath," He said, eyes twinkling as the bell above the door signaled his departure. Rarity was left alone in her shop, feeling like she was reeling from this whole experience. The bell jingled again and a pair of mares walked in. Rarity immediately went to take care of her customers, but for the rest of the day, she seemed like she was walking on air, filled with a balmy excitement of all the new possibilities that were quite suddenly open to her…


~


Here's Chapter Two! Not too terribly much to say in this one — I wanted to keep it more conversational, a good exploration of both Happy and Rarity as characters, setting up how they're really going to connect in future chapters. Thanks so much for taking a look, I sincerely hope you like it, and don't be afraid to drop a comment!

Upvotes at import: 59 | Stars at import: 39
Posted previously at: 2019-05-05T22:07:04 | Posted previously by: Mildgyth